A carpenter is hurt when a scaffold plank he himself installed carelessly gives way. His employer carries workers' compensation. He now wants to sue that employer in court for negligent site maintenance. What is the position?
Explanation
These are the two halves of one bargain. Section 3600(a) makes the employer liable for compensation WITHOUT REGARD TO NEGLIGENCE, so an injured worker who was partly or wholly careless still collects. Section 3602(a) is the price of that: the compensation claim is the sole and exclusive remedy against the employer, so the negligence suit does not lie. The narrow exceptions are elsewhere — a willful physical assault by the employer, fraudulent concealment, a defective product the employer made, or an employer that never secured coverage at all.
Law Reference: Labor Code §3600(a); §3602(a)This topic, taught in full in the CSLB Law & Business guide. CSLB Law & Business — Complete Study Guide (2026) — PDF + EPUB, $24.99 · 14-day refund →
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